Dream

Remember the 1989 comedy movie Dream Team starring Michael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, and Peter Boyle?

In group therapy session, Henry (Christopher Lloyd) is challenged by his psychologist Dr. Jeff Weitzman (played by Dennis Boutsikaris) to not pick up a piece of paper purposely thrown on the floor, nor to think about it -  it not being his responsibility to address.

With that task successfully passed, next week they would work on getting Henry to leave the rest of pieces of paper in the world where they are.

The lesson to be learned: know which projects and tasks are yours - and leave the rest alone.

Stopover

Bristol - The Birthplace of Country Music, will be the host site for a very special Gentlemen of the Road Stopover show by London based Mumford & Sons on August 11th.

Downtown Bristol is one of only six sites handpicked from around the world for this 2012 tour celebrating the music, food and people of the places visited.  A full lineup of bands have been selected by Mumford and will add to the local gathering and celebration.

The Bristol Stopover website says it best what we all have long known: 

Does it get any better than the Birthplace of Country Music?  We think not.

Sacrifice

Flags at half-staff until Noon today for Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who died in our nation's service.

If you're one of the fortunate that has time off from work to enjoy the day with family and friends - make the most of it.

But never forget the underlying purpose and meaning of this special day, and the sacrifice of others to keep us safe and free.

Traffic safety

Officer Mike Still was recently recognized as Traffic Safety Officer of the Year by the Police Department.  In addition to his field work, Mike teaches traffic safety and DUI awareness classes and is an instructor in the traffic offender's class.

Chief Wade presenting award to Officer Mike Still

 Thanks to you, Officer Still, for making Bristol a safer place.

Conundrum

If a car traveling 30 mph eastbound on West State Street meets a car traveling 25 mph westbound on State Street, what time will they be in downtown Bristol?

Pretty much all day and night - it's that good.

Visit downtown Bristol.

Signs

We focus on our own signs a lot here in the city.

Street name signs, regulatory signs, park signs, parking lot signs, and other city signs and signage.

And why do you ask?

Because these signs send a message 24-hours a day, seven days a week to our citizens and visitors.

And we want that message to convey the best about our city.

Triple

The second leg of the triple crown was successfully mastered by I'll Have Another.

Two down and one to go - with the longest race yet to come.

If he wins, he'll go down as one of the greatest American Thoroughbreds of all time. 

If second or otherwise at Belmont Park, his legacy will be different.  Seems unfair, doesn't it.  In first place 2 of 3 times - but just not good enough to some.

The moral:  Keep your expectations in line with reality.  Unrealistic expectations can turn a great horse into a nag.  And nobody likes a nag.   

Carefree

Yesterday was the final day of the 2012 school year for Bristol students - congratulations to the Class of 2012.

Driving by Tennessee High at dismissal time, the students I saw appeared relaxed and carefree.  I suspect the instructional staff felt the same way.

What a nice feeling that is.

Red

The second annual Emergency Services day took place in Anderson Park Saturday.

Our thanks go out to the first responders that keep our community and region safe.  Many were kind enough to spend the day and showcase their equipment.  Hope you didn't miss it.

And for those of you of slight build - stop by Anderson Park any time. We've always got a fire truck in service and ready for use.

Discretion

A friendly reminder:  Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

Rigby

Got Rigby?

Vance Middle School did - until now.

Rigby Kind served as principal of Vance Middle School for the past 17 years.  He shepherded thousands of students through the doors during his tenure.  He is moving on to a new Central Office position.

With smiling face and a genuine kindness, Rigby embodies the best of our school system.

The 8th grade class showed their principal its love and respect with a rocking rendition of Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing fame at Honors Day.

Their message was clear:  They had the time of my life - and they never felt that way before.

Thanks Rigby.

Class of 2016

A gymnasium full of 7th and 8th graders - surrounded by proud parents, grandparents and friends -spent the morning at the George W. Vance Middle School Honors Day.

Numerous students were recognized by Principal Rigby Kind and Assistant Principal Seymour Ray for scholarship, achievement, and leadership during the 90 minute ceremony.  The success of the student body was impressive.

BETA Club President Chad Smith provided the parting words for the 291 graduating 8th graders following a lifting musical presentation by the Honor Choir.

Vance Middle School Honor Choir

And despite the best efforts of Principal Kind to stay on script, there was a a special musical presentation at the end - but more on that next time.

Service

Officer Justin Bush of Tennessee and Officer Jeanette Loudy of Virginia were recognized today as Bristol Police Officers of the Year by the Optimist Club of Bristol TN/VA.

The awards were given for outstanding and dedicated service to the citizens of Bristol.

Congratulations Jeanette and Justin - and thank you for your service to the community.

Pulse

Every city has a pulse, an undeniable cadence and rhythm that is beating constantly, and constantly there.  No two are alike

The pulse is the familiar, the steady, the "oh yeah, that's Bristol" (or insert your own city).  It's in the background - it doesn't make the news.  It doesn't spike wildly due to the latest whatever.  No, it is much too grounded for that.

It's as reliable as the sun rising each morning - and just as important.

Honor

The Tennessee High School senior academic honors breakfast, hosted by the Rotary Club of Bristol, took place this morning at Viking Hall.

A total of 134 members of the senior class were recognized as honor students.  Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam was the guest speaker and provided timely words of wisdom and encouragement to these high-performing students.

Immediately following the event, the entire Tennessee High student body was assembled to witness the ceremonial signing by Governor Haslam of new legislation regulating the sale and use of synthetic drugs.  A number of area legislators and other key criminal justice officials were in attendance to underscore the significance of passage to the public health, welfare, and safety of Tennesseans.

Thanks to our own Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and Representatives Jon Lundberg and Scotty Campbell for supporting this key legislation - and congrats to the seniors.

Indy

Are you an Indiana Jones fan with a quest for knowledge?

If so, you need to tune to BTN-TV16, the city's governmental channel, to view the hit show "Steele Creek Park Explorer."

In this episode you'll learn about the geology of Steele Creek Park and get to witness how knowledgeable and capable city employees are in doing their jobs, including Nature Center Manager Jeremy "Indy" Stout and co-producer/director/editor Scott Evans.

For those of you outside the BTN-TV16 viewing area, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPhhGzHCwOk&feature=plcp

Focus

Past, present, or future - where is your focus?

Hopefully you checked all of the above.

The present is the world in which we contend with its real life challenges, opportunities, and rewards.

The future is where we're headed - plan for it to make it the best.

And the past is where our experience is gained - context and valuable lessons learned.

A city is like that too - in order to know where we're going, we have to know from where we've come - all while doing things in the best way each and every day.

Fresh

Saturday was opening day of the State Street Farmers Market with a nice group of vendors and customers in attendance to usher in the 2012 season.

The market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon through October 27.  Wednesday market hours will also be held at the Downtown Center during the peak growing season.

While you're there, don't forget to pick up a free poster commemorating the 2012 season.  A total of six posters will be available  - one for each month of the season.

Limited supplies are available - so hurry on in.  You'll be glad you did.

I'll Have Another

It takes 2 minutes to win the most prestigious horse race in the world - the Kentucky Derby.

But it takes 3 years for a horse to achieve that two minutes of fame.

Keep in mind how important time and preparation are to attain your objective - it can be slow and grueling.

But the payoff is worth it - just ask I'll Have Another.

Works

Words to live by:  To have a good friend, be a good friend.

Works for neighborhoods too.

Beethoven

As the Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol has a long and rich musical heritage that will be underscored with new interactive art for budding and accomplished musicians alike - outdoor play instruments.

Three outdoor play instruments will be installed at the new Beaver Creek Plaza on Shelby Street including chimes, drums, and a xylophone.

Seven aluminum chimes ranging from 7 to 9 feet tall (pitched one octave below middle C) will be accompanied by five tuned hand drums and a metallophone made with 23 resonated aluminum bars in the key of C major and A minor.

These interactive instruments will add a play feature to the new plaza that is being built as part of the flood reduction project for Beaver Creek, and will be located in the heart of downtown.

Roll over Beethoven and tell Tschaikowsky the news.